Pleasure for the Planet

WATCH OF THE WEEK

MARKETING BUZZ

OUR OBSESSION

In a project that took six months to perfect, Latvia-based drone company Aerones and professional skydiver Ingus Augstkalns successfully completed the world’s first skydive from a drone this week. Celebrating the creation of the new drone, which boasts 28 propellers and is capable of carrying 440 pounds, the stunt required Augstkalns to stand on a 393 feet high tower, grab onto the handlebars of the large drone, and fly up to over 1000 feet high before letting go. The stunt was a success for all adrenaline junkies ready to make drone diving their new sport and foreshadows how stronger, sturdier drones may soon be used for important work in saving lives, such as fighting fires and transporting people in danger. Be sure to check out the full descent on YouTube.

In an effort to bring awareness to oceanic pollution, MTV Brasil launched a bold new campaign for an equally bold product: brightly colored dildos made from plastic collected from the ocean. With a brazen tagline, “Don’t f*ck the ocean. Do it with yourself,” and accompanying song and music video (it is MTV after all), the initiative puts the brand’s irreverent spin on solving an issue that, while much discussed, has yet to be tackled so brazenly. The so-called “ocean dildos” are being sent to eco-conscious celebrities and influencers around the world and will surely earn the network some brownie points with its core demo of Gen Zs.

AR technology meets tattoo artistry with Soundwave Tattoos, one-of-a-kind tattoos that play sound using the Skin Motion app. Users simply pick a sound bite they’d like to have represented on their skin, whether it’s a voicemail from a departed loved one, their baby’s first words, or their dog’s bark, and a Skin Motion certified tattoo artist will ink a visual representation of the clip onto their skin. From there, the AR app allows users to bring the sound to life by simply pointing their camera at the design. Officially launching next month, Skin Motion already has a waitlist so be sure to ink yourself in before it’s too late.

APP-TASTIC

IN OUR CARTS

PROPS TO

The Trendera Team may never give up their love of In-N-Out Burger, but we can’t deny thatShake Shack has also rightfully captivated food lovers’ taste buds for years and ignited plenty of foodie frenzies of its own. Case in point: the New York chain is making headlines once again as it reveals the secrets of what makes their burgers so sought after in their first-ever cookbook, Shake Shack: Recipes and Stories. Released yesterday on Amazon, the cookbook boasts 70 recipes and over 200 photographs, covering everything from crinkle-cut-fries to their Shack Burger, and is chock full of stories, fun facts, and tips for those looking to recreate the chain’s beloved menu items. Summer body here we come!

Android users may not be hunting for Pokémon this summer, but they could be hunting for notes left behind with an up-and-coming AR app, Notes Nearby. Essentially an AR scavenger hunt, the app allows people to leave notes in various places in the real world for themselves and for others to find. Each “note” looks like a text file and can be found either on the in-app map or in the AR viewfinder. As AR technology continues to go mainstream, we’re sure to see Snapchat and other tech giants incorporate this scavenger hunt feature into their own apps.

A group of L.A. residents living in the Crenshaw neighborhood (known to locals as “the jungle”) are looking to improve their surroundings by promoting togetherness and serving up cold-pressed juice. Inspired by the community and safety of its local skateboarding scene, the group came up with idea for Tropics, a pop-up organic juice bar that will not only be an affordable healthy option in a lower-income food desert but also serve as a cultural hub, safe place, and educational resource for members of the community. Having just reached their funding goal on Kickstarter, Tropics will debut as a three-month pop-up this summer in partnership with theUnderground Museum and Commonwealth Projects.

Subscribe

Sign up with your email address to receive our weekly roundup of what to watch, download, click, and covet that will keep you up to date on the most vital of what's trending.